Margao, September 2025: From revolutionising businesses to shaping daily routines, geospatial and location technologies are changing how we interact with the world—starting with the simple question: WHERE? The 16th edition of First Friday, a monthly meetup by Goa’s Creative Community, explored how geospatial tools are becoming indispensable in today’s tech-driven world.
Held at FiiRE, a coworking centre in Margao, the session was organised by the Creative Community of Goa (CCG) in collaboration with the Association of Designers of India (ADI) – Goa Chapter, with support from the Startup & IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa.
The session was led by Architect and Entrepreneur Vikrant Karandikar, who traced the evolution of geospatial technology from its military origins to its role today in powering services like GPS, delivery tracking, and healthcare diagnostics.
Karandikar explained how location data has moved beyond physical geography to become a driver of smarter decisions and innovative business models—whether finding the exact spot for a food delivery or marking an injury location during an MRI.
“Geospatial Technology is no longer limited to maps. Every business today is powered by location data,” he noted, citing examples of startups like CouchSurfing and Airbnb that leveraged geospatial tools to cut costs, boost efficiency, and provide personalised services. He added that users have now become collaborators in this ecosystem, sharing live feedback through apps like Swiggy, Google Maps and Amazon.
Drawing parallels from retail, Karandikar recalled how FMCG companies restructured product packaging—like introducing Rs 2 and Rs 10 shampoo sachets—based on local purchasing power, an early example of location-aware product strategy.
On urban mobility, he explained the ACES model (Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared), pointing to Tesla’s ADAS, connected cars with e-SIMs, and platforms like Uber and Ola that made owning a car optional in cities.
On conservation, he shared examples of drones tracking rhino habitats in Karnataka and 3D mapping of heritage sites to preserve India’s cultural legacy. He even touched on sports technology, highlighting how smart bats with gyroscopes now analyse swing dynamics and provide real-time performance feedback.
The discussion also revealed hidden roles of geospatial technology in building design (GIS-integrated AutoCAD), logistics optimisation, and disaster management through SMS-based cyclone and flood alerts.
Shri DS Prashant, CEO of the Startup & IT Promotion Cell, addressed the audience of creative professionals, emphasising Goa’s transition into a hub for premium tech innovation.
“Goa is where talent comes together to build products, because it nourishes creativity and offers ample space and freedom to innovate,” he said, urging creators to shape Goa into India’s Creative Capital.
As Goa’s creative ecosystem continues blending design, technology, and innovation, First Friday is emerging as a hub of inspiration, offering a platform to learn, network, and ignite ideas for a better future.
